Keep Equipment Thoroughly Protected with AMSOIL Synthetic Polymeric Off-Road Grease
Bombardier Recreational Products (BRP) Changes Its Operator’s Guides in Regards to Warranty Coverage
Consumers Pay More Attention to Vehicle Maintenance in 2009
Donaldson and WIX Price Adjustments
NGK Power Cables Discontinued
Tax Information for U.S. Dealers
Register Now For Dealer Sales Meetings
Wings of Passage

Bombardier Recreational Products (BRP) Changes Its Operator’s Guides in Regards to Warranty Coverage

Multiple recent operator’s guides for Ski-Doo snowmobiles and Can-Am ATVs, manufactured by Bombardier Recreational Products Inc. (BRP), advise customers that it is necessary to use BRP-branded lubricants or risk the loss of warranty coverage, while some guides also state there is “no known equivalent” to the branded BRP lubricant on the market.

AMSOIL confronted BRP and asserted that its warranty language violated the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act, a federal law which prohibits manufacturers from requiring the use of a branded service/replacement part unless the branded service/replacement part is provided free of charge or is not intended for use in consumer applications, and emphasized that AMSOIL synthetic lubricants meet or exceed the engine performance requirements for both two- and four-cycle engines used in powersports equipment.

BRP has agreed to modify the language in its operator’s guides to no longer indicate that use of oil other than the BRP-branded product may void the warranty, to clearly identify product recommendations as recommendations rather than requirements and to no longer comment on the availability of equivalents to the BRP brand oil(s).

For more information on this issue:

Bombardier Recreational Products (BRP) changes its operator’s guides in regards to warranty coverage Technical Service Bulletin (TSB)

AMSOIL Attorney’s Notice to AMSOIL Dealers

AMSOIL Warranty Information

Consumers Pay More Attention to Vehicle Maintenance in 2009

According to The NPD Group, consumers increased their vehicle maintenance behaviors in 2009.  In addition, 30 percent indicated they will perform more vehicle maintenance in 2010 and 64 percent indicated they will perform the same amount of maintenance in 2010.  These findings correlate with industry research that shows an increasing number of people delaying new vehicle purchases and deciding to keep their current vehicles on the road longer.

The following are among the key areas consumers increased their maintenance practices in 2009:

Maintenance Practice	2008	2009
Use a More Premium Oil	8%	11%
Change Motor Oil More Often	12%	18%
Change Motor Oil Less Often	6%	7%
Change Air Filter	37%	41%
Use a Fuel Additive to Clean/Improve Performance	9%	11%
Use a Fuel Additive to Improve Gas Mileage	7%	8%
Change Spark Plugs	16%	17%
Purchase a Higher Quality Brand of Gasoline	3%	4%
Check Tire Pressure	56%	57%

Donaldson and WIX Price Adjustments

Various price adjustments within the Donaldson and WIX filter lines are in effect January 1.  All changes will be effective in the Product Pricing Interface.

NGK Power Cables Discontinued

Effective immediately, NGK Power Cables are no longer available from NGK and have been discontinued.

AMSOIL will continue to sell NGK Spark Plug Wire Sets for domestic and foreign applications.  Manufactured with the finest materials and quality construction for excellent noise suppression and superior conductivity, NGK wires offer exact OEM fit, form and function.  Click the link above for more information.

Tax Information for U.S. Dealers

Commissions are considered income by the IRS code and are reported on a form 1099 Misc.

• Your 1099 form only reflects commissions earned during the calendar year.  It does not include any deductions or credits from your check.

• You will only receive a 1099 form if your commission checks totaled more than $600 in 2009.

• Your 1099 income is determined by the dates of the commission checks issued to you between January 1 and December 31, 2009.  This will essentially be December 2008 through November 2009 commissions.

• AMSOIL will mail all 1099 forms by January 31, 2010.  Please allow two weeks delivery time before calling for a replacement form.

• AMSOIL is not qualified to provide and does not offer any tax advice.  Please consult a tax advisor.

In the event you feel there is an error on your 1099 form, gather your check stubs and call the accounting department at 715-399-6348.

If you sold your business to another Dealer, or took over for someone else, and you receive a 1099 form made out to you, gather all documentation regarding the date the change took place.  Fax documentation to AMSOIL at 715-395-5332 or e-mail to accountservices@amsoil.com.

Account Services Contact Information
Fax:  (715) 395-5332
Direct Phone Line:  (715) 399-6348
E-mail:  accountservices@amsoil.com

Register Now For Dealer Sales Meetings

Upcoming January Meetings in Detroit, Los Angeles and Bloomington

In conjunction with corporate business meetings or trade shows, Director of Filtration and Aftermarket Products Karl Dedolph is the featured speaker at a series of Dealer sales meetings titled “Building Your Business with AMSOIL Commercial Sales.”  Limited seating is available.  Advanced registration is required by calling 1-800-777-7094, e-mailing meetings@amsoil.com or registering in the Dealer Zone (click the 2010 Dealer Sales Meetings link under the Training tab).  Please provide the following information:  location/date of the meeting you plan to attend, your name and spouse’s name (if attending), ZO number, phone number and e-mail address.  Dealers in attendance will receive a special “Dealer Action Package” geared toward increasing sales in the commercial market.